Sales associates are often required to close a certain number of transactions per day, week or month. It is helpful for the applicant to have experience hitting quotas. It shows their determination and ability to sell products efficiently. The ideal candidate will understand the importance of reaching goals in the workplace and have the drive to surpass their target number. What to look for in an answer:

• Sets goals for themselves and self-motivates
• Has experience achieving sales quotas
• Understands the importance of meeting required tasks in the workplace

When a potential client is searching for a new product, it is important for the 146897493978retail9.78retail sales associate6.0sales associate3.16dollar general2.02sales1.59483860457079977.2515.0033.40HOURLY733314634092025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05sales associate to know whether or not an item is ideal for that individual. By explaining the specific steps that they would take, the applicant shows awareness for the customer’s needs. The candidate’s response allows you to determine how detail-oriented they are along with their critical thinking skills. What to look for in an answer:

• Awareness of customers’ unique needs
• Detail-oriented sales pitches
• Critical thinking skills to consider the best product choices for each customer

In retail, there are times when popular items go on sale and they practically fly off the shelves. In such situations, customers who traveled a long way to the store might be upset because they planned to purchase the product. The applicant’s response to this question allows you to gauge how well they handle stressful situations and their ability to solve problems. What to look for in an answer:

• Calm demeanor under pressure
• Good communication skills in times of conflict
• Ability to provide out-of-the-box solutions to problems

Sales associates should be knowledgeable about their merchandise; however, there may be times when they might not know how to respond to a client. In your company, you want someone who does not make false promises. The ideal candidate will know how to look for solutions that they don’t initially know rather than just make up an answer. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to follow up with customers
• Knowledge of where to research answers about your products
• Avoids making false promises

In the retail industry, it is essential for a 146897493978retail9.78retail sales associate6.0sales associate3.16dollar general2.02sales1.59483860457079977.2515.0033.40HOURLY733314634092025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05sales associate to understand how to operate point-of-sale systems. Many different types of devices are used to finalize a transaction. The applicant’s answer to this question will allow you to assess what equipment they have used when closing sales as well as their basic math skills. Does the candidate have experience with the same systems your company uses? What to look for in an answer:

• Experience with POS systems
• Ability to perform basic math
• Computer skills

Sales associates should have a strong understanding of all of their employer's products, allowing them to emphasize different features based on what is most relevant to each customer. They should understand that some people respond to better certain sales strategies, so they need a plan for determining which style to use. This question helps the interviewer assess a candidate's ability to vet a customer and adjust their sales approach based on their feedback. Successful answers will feature:

• Observation skills
• Flexibility
• Strategic thinking